Saturday, March 26, 2011

Here is the second installment of my latest thrift store vintage pattern spree. As you can see, I am definitely not a pattern snob. I love to see the beauty in something that doesn't at first appear so. These patterns from the 70's and 80s with ugly covers can actually be attractive. Sometimes its just the fabric, hair, styling and massive shoulder pads that is ugly. Some of these patterns would definitely be worthy of the You Can't Judge a Pattern by its Envelope Cover challenge.

Simplicity 2436. 1948 (educated guess). A nice smock pattern. I would like to make this to use as an apron.

Friday, March 25, 2011

It's no big secret I own a lot of patterns. I have way more than I could ever actually make, but I consider myself a collector, and you never know right? I have used pieces of patterns I never thought I would make (in a "frankenpattern" sort of way). So I thought I would share my pattern spree I recently had at Savers, which prompted the annoyance with the sticker price tags they use. I am happy to report I have two new methods of removing those stickers to try - Lighter fluid and nail polish remover. I will definitely try these next time I have a pesky sticker on my hands. I already removed the stickers from the latest batch using my blow dryer method. You can see in these scans where pieces of the envelope peeled off.
I bought so many I am breaking them up between today and tomorrow. Most of these are from the 60s and 70s with a few from the 40's and 50's.

Simplicity 6107. Copyright 1973. I love the ruffle view. I could make that with a skirt instead of shorts. I'm not too big on overalls in the traditional sense.

Butterick 5230. 1978 (educated guess). The famous Seven Way Wonder Dress. Unfortunately I didn't notice until I got it home that all the pattern pieces are missing. The envelope contains only the instruction sheet. The pattern pieces look easy enough to replicate based on the layout. Just one piece cut twice basically.

McCall's 2376. Copyright 1970. I like View D. Something about the dark pink/light pink combo is oh so sixties to me.

McCall's 4177. Copyright 1974. I got this for the bolero. I want to make one in solid green to go with my Swing Dress.

McCall's 9230. Copyright 1968. Another 60s A-line dress. I like the button detail on the right and the color blocking on the left.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Why oh why do you feel the need to stick a huge $0.69 price sticker to all of your patterns? I have bought patterns from the 1940's from you with a huge sticker over the envelope illustration. Doesn't it seem a tiny bit sacrilegious? Does it never occur to you that these might be collectible items which are cherished and loved by many people the world over? Even if a pattern is from the 1970's or 1980's, does it never occur to you that these will someday be collectible too. Does it never occur to you that collectors of said patterns love and appreciate them not only for the useful ability to make a garment of clothing by following the pattern, but also for the aesthetics of the illustrations and photos on the pattern envelope? Why must you force me to spend countless hours of my life with a pair of tweezers and a blow dryer trying to remove these stickers without ruining the beautiful pattern envelope, a task which I only succeed at maybe 50% of the time? Can't you just do what all other thrift stores do and stick them all in a box marked $0.69 on the box? Wouldn't that make more sense seeing that all of your patterns are the same price - $0.69? Seriously would you stick a huge sticker to an original Babe Ruth baseball card, right over the Babe's face? Why don't you value the item I collect the same as you would any other legitimate collectible.
I hope you will consider my request and stop this!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

I can't wait until it is warm enough to wear this for real! This is my first spring dress this year. Don't you love the fabric? It has a nice weight to it too. Not bad for $1.99/yard!

It went together very smoothly and I have no problems to report. I really love the gored skirt especially

Here it is from the back.

The vintage brooch I am wearing in the center front. I have had this for awhile but haven't worn it yet. I don't know why because it is beautiful!

I did my hair up in victory rolls with a french twist in the back for the pictures.

Now on to the next project as a wait to wear the dress. Maybe I can get away with wearing it with a blazer or cardigan. Sunday is the official start of spring after all. I just wish the weather would get that memo!